Before I start?

I_don't_know · #1 04/12/13, 11:29 AM

I don't have the goats as yet, but I am planning and learning, thanks to you all.

Now a few questions:
I believe goats are social, so how many is a min number for happy goats?
I want to use them to help clear the woodland. Are there any plants that would be harmful to goats in the east TN area? How do I ID them?
I have heard of a mineral block is that the same as the protein block mentioned?

Minelson · #2 04/12/13, 02:13 PM

At least 2 goats for happiness

I don't know about the plants in your area
Mineral blocks don't work well for goats...their tongues are too small and smooth to get enough. I would suggest a loose mineral called Right Now Onyx by Cargill. It is high in copper and goats need lots of copper! Anything labeled ''sheep & goat'' does not have enough copper in it cuz sheep can't have copper.
Also, a lot of the peeps here on the forum are using Replamin Plus for minerals. It's a once a week dose. Do a search for Replamin and you will find a lot of posts on it

Cyngbaeld · #3 04/12/13, 03:10 PM

Keep them away from azaleas or anything in the rhododendron family. Goats can eat wisteria OR they can eat english ivy, but not both at the same time. (I wouldn't want them eating both within several days of each other.) They'll die if they eat both together.
Be careful of wilted wild cherry leaves. OK if not wilted.

Clovers_Clan · #4 04/12/13, 07:37 PM

If you have privet, poison ivy, blackberries, wild rose, honeysuckle and kudzu, you are going to LOVE your goats! And they are going to LOVE living with you! If you can identify most of the plants on your land, do a google search of the plant name and "goat" and you are likely to find some info. For the most part native plants are safe with the exception of a few. Be aware that some plants are toxic when wilted, or just the seeds. In general ornamental plants of asian origin are often toxic.

If you are starting out. I recommend getting at least 2 from the same source, it will be much easier for them both to adjust to their new surroundings. I have two sisters who are like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. They are completely inseparable. Goats from differing family groups can fight to establish a pecking. These two are so compatible they share the same feed pan and turn down another feed pan to eat together.

A couple of great websites, I think we ALL agree on:
http://fiascofarm.com/
http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/

Oat Bucket Farm · #5 04/12/13, 09:35 PM

Two is an okay number. Four is much better.

luckyinkentucky · #6 04/12/13, 09:53 PM

I also started with 2. They came from different farms, but the owners were friends and shared a buck, so they are half sisters. We brought them home together and have never had an issue. They had to ride in the back of the truck for several hours together after being ripped away from their normal lives, so I guess they comforted each other. There are several websites that tell about toxic plants for goats (Fiasco Farms for example), also you should be able to call your local office of the state Ag Department to get more info, at least a starting point.
Good luck when you get started, word of warning- goats are addictive!

Do you have a specific breed in mind? Or a specific purpose-meat or milk?

Backfourty,MI. · #7 04/13/13, 02:42 PM

I suggest at least 2 but I agree 4 would be Great. Wethers(Castrated males) make the best pets. No hormones or testosterone to deal with, all they want is Lovins from their humans.

I agree with Minelson, a good quality loose mineral, no Mineral Blocks. Goats require a lot of copper so anything labeled sheep & goat is not enough copper!